🚢⚓️🏝️🥂LIVE from Harmony of the Seas, April 15-22, 2023: I need a vacation from my vacation 😬

[Neeny12]

The pre-trip: 

We just returned from Florida two weeks ago. The guys golfed and the ladies had planned several outings. One lady had a big list of things to do. It was a bit too much walking for me at this time, but we did see eagles at their nests, owls nesting and a mama manatee and her baby. We went down to the Wellington Equestrian Festival and saw the jumping competition. Parking and admission were free and we saw World / Olympic class riders and their horses.

 

The pre-amble:

It’s just me and DH this time. DS is in school until June. 

We were on Harmony back in 2017 when she was about a year old. We had a noisy cabin due to a loose item in the bulkhead (we thought it was our neighbours and they thought it was us)😳. 

We are going to Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel and Coco Cay. All beach days for us.

 

The pre-cruise:

We’re flying into Miami on Friday and I hope there is a break in the weather. And that hope is for the Floridians. Looking at the weather, it’s been a deluge with flood warnings. There are Pride events 🌈 in Miami this weekend so I’m hoping that they will have great weather. 

We’re staying in Brickell and we are hoping to get over to Bayside Market Place for dinner but it may depend on the weather. No problem as there’s lots of places to eat near our hotel.

[aubreyc1988]

I'll be on the cruise with you 😊

[Neeny12]

The Pre-weather:

We fly in to Miami on Friday and sail away is Saturday. 😬 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Neeny12

[aubreyc1988]

Nervous about my flight tomorrow due to South Florida flooding. FLL closed today. Hope we have clear skies and Florida dries up for us tomorrow

Edited April 13, 2023 by aubreyc1988

[depplep]

CNN is reporting the airport will be closed until tomorrow morning. On a side note, I didn't know south Florida was flooding. 😞 Tells you a lot about me.

[graciekelli]

We're keeping our eyes open on this, we are scheduled to arrive in FLL on Wednesday 4/19  for our Friday 4/21 Vision cruise.  Hoping it dries out.

[poocher]

We’re boarding her in 3 weeks.  I look forward to your review.  Safe sailing!

[Neeny12]

The pre-flight:

Fortunately no pre-flight as our scheduled flight is on time to MIA. We dodged a big weather event in Florida.  My heart goes out to those who are dealing with the damage to their homes and cars. And also a big 👏 to our fellow cruisers who persevered, rebooked their flights, rented cars and will drive for hours before arriving at the port the day before and unavoidably for many, the day of the cruise. I wish you all safe travels.

 

The pre-US customs:

Flying out of YYZ (Toronto) so we went through US customs in Toronto before we board our flight. 👍 MPC is down so no express customs line. Huge lineup for security and customs so get there early.

 

The pre-drink package plans:

No lounge alcohol until 11am (after our flight leaves) but we’ll have one or two on the flight and then one with dinner. I need to prep for the DX beverage package. 🍹😁

 

The pre-boarding health check:

We have done the health check on the app. Go to Edit Check in and then for each person scroll down to the health check, answer the questions and select submit.

[Welly9]

Neeny, we avoid YYZ at all costs! 1st its one of the worst hubs/airports on the continent, and AC is awful, WJ is no better! We prefer to go to Buffalo or Detroit, cross the US border their and back and so much slicker! Then you are flying within the US - again so much smoother. 

We use Nexus too so we are pre cleared and skip the long lines at any airport, BUT sometimes in TO or Montreal they shut them down! 

Last year/May 2022 coming back from our Italy/Greece cruise, they re routed us thru Montreal then to TO, omg LMAO they are a joke, the customs agent in Canada, hardly spoke clear English to start, asked why we are flying back to London??? and highlighted our boarding pass to clear thru another area for Internationals, i had to explain to her, we are from London Ontario CANADA, and was on all our docs! And of course, they lost our bags! lol

 

OH have fun!!! Enjoy your cruise!! 

 

Edited April 14, 2023 by Welly9
add something

[Neeny12]

6 hours ago, Welly9 said:

Neeny, we avoid YYZ at all costs! 1st its one of the worst hubs/airports on the continent, and AC is awful, WJ is no better! We prefer to go to Buffalo or Detroit, cross the US border their and back and so much slicker! Then you are flying within the US - again so much smoother. 

We use Nexus too so we are pre cleared and skip the long lines at any airport, BUT sometimes in TO or Montreal they shut them down! 

Last year/May 2022 coming back from our Italy/Greece cruise, they re routed us thru Montreal then to TO, omg LMAO they are a joke, the customs agent in Canada, hardly spoke clear English to start, asked why we are flying back to London??? and highlighted our boarding pass to clear thru another area for Internationals, i had to explain to her, we are from London Ontario CANADA, and was on all our docs! And of course, they lost our bags! lol

 

OH have fun!!! Enjoy your cruise!! 

 

@Welly9✈️ Smoothly done on my trip two weeks ago and today. I’m hoping they have ironed out the issues.  US Customs was a big line and although we got routed to a separate line early this time (I have a cane), it was moving quickly and I think we would have been through in 30 minutes if we stayed in the regular line. We live very close to YYZ so it’s our preferred airport. 

[Neeny12]

Arrived in Miami! 🌴

Took the MIA mover to the Tri Rail which had a stop about a block from our hotel in Brickell (found out it rhymes with pickle not brick-elle 😬).

We had a lovely chat with a fellow on the train who was coming home from Japan. He kindly offered to be our tour guide for the trip. 💕

[Neeny12]

The pre-cruise hotel.

[Neeny12]

Dinner at Bayside Marketplace

 

[Neeny12]

Day 1 

Very long car lineup to get into the port. We took an Uber so they were able to get in the taxi line but I don’t think there was much advantage over car’s dropping off other passengers. We had a 10:30 embarkation and each time slot had a separate line. Ours was short as we were arrived at the port at 10:40. The line for 11:00 was huge. 

Long line for security but we finally got on the ship. Rooms were ready around 1:30pm.

DH went straight to the FlowRider while I sorted out Voom connection issues.

Dinner in the MDR. I have dietary restrictions (no milk products) and they kindly swapped out my mashed potatoes that came with the prime rib for a baked potato. I had the vegan peanut butter bar for dessert. It was like a very peanutty rice crispy treat!My meal was great. DH had the fried chicken and key lime pie. He enjoyed it. 

I was a bit tired from the day’s events and my not limiting my walking took a toll on my hip so we packed it in early.

 

[Palmetto Pilot]

My parents are on that cruise with you. It's their first Oasis class ship and they are having a fantastic time. 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Palmetto Pilot

[Neeny12]

Day 2

Up for MDR breakfast which was nice but Solarium is closer so we likely do that tomorrow.  DH is off to FlowRider.

WOW bands. We were able to get our old WOW bands reprogrammed. We had sanded off the old muster station. They originally said they won’t reprogram them but since ours is mow not showing anymore, they just reprogrammed them. 😁👍Depending on the bar, you might need to remove it or you can just give them your room number.

Tonight we will try to track down the Casino host as my husband’s card would not register on the machines. GS said his card was otherwise fine.🎰

Captain is booking it to Cozumel, not our first stop, due to a medical event We dock briefly tonight then off to Costa Maya tomorrow. He said it shouldn’t affect our schedule but 🙏🏻 prayers that this passenger gets the help they need.

Dinner was in the MDR. Beef tenderloin for DH and Beef Bourgonion for me. Both were excellent.

Boleros is my new favourite bar. Great cocktails and the band was excellent. The Schooner Bar piano player doesn’t sing that great 🙁. The guitar singer in the pub was good but it was crowded by the time we got there.

Costa Maya tomorrow but we are staying on the ship. One day we will get off jut not tomorrow.
 

[johnlcruise]

Keep the reviews coming. We will be on her on the 29th. 

Let us know your likes and dislikes. And what's not to be missed.

Happy Cruising

Thanks

John

[poocher]

And then we’re next on 5/6 so perhaps you (johnlcruise) could continue the review!

[rpp77]

2 hours ago, johnlcruise said:

Keep the reviews coming. We will be on her on the 29th. 

Let us know your likes and dislikes. And what's not to be missed.

Happy Cruising

Thanks

John

Us too! Can't wait!

[nana51]

Hoping to see more reviews 

[Neeny12]

3 minutes ago, nana51 said:

Hoping to see more reviews 

So sorry. I’ve been recovering from my post cruise bug. Not Covid but a really bad cold. I had a migraine on Day 6 so it could have unknowingly been a pre-cursor to the bug. Today was the first day I have had any energy so just getting caught up with the land based stuff.  
 

I will be back soon to finish my now non-live review. 😁

[seapad]

On 4/14/2023 at 2:29 PM, Neeny12 said:

Arrived in Miami! 🌴

Took the MIA mover to the Tri Rail which had a stop about a block from our hotel in Brickell (found out it rhymes with pickle not brick-elle 😬).

We had a lovely chat with a fellow on the train who was coming home from Japan. He kindly offered to be our tour guide for the trip. 💕

May I ask which hotel you're staying? The picture looks great! 

[deliver42]

We're on the 5/6 cruise with the same itinerary.